Creating a new future

With over 30 years’ experience working in food retail, Susan was surprised to be unsupported by management as she tried to balance living with an illness and working. This led to a gallstone developing through stress from the workplace and she had to have counselling. Due to her illness she could no longer work full-time and she lost her job. With her confidence severely knocked, she struggled to find work. It was her work coach, Darren, at North Shields job centre who recommended the Returneeship at North Tyneside. After three years of being unemployed, Susan decided the course was a chance of a new start, to forget what had happened in the past and to look towards a positive future.

When she saw all the equipment on the first morning, she felt excited and intrigued. She chose to become an editor as it was a chance to try something new. She particularly enjoyed that through editing she was able to create a story and it challenged her brain. Through the editing process she found she was supporting other people by making a best version of that person, editing out any errors which boosted their confidence to take part.

Throughout the whole Returneeship, Susan found she learned a huge amount such as writing CVs, constructing cover letters and practicing interview techniques but in a fun way. Due to her last work experience, she had lost trust in others but meeting new people from different backgrounds she found her trust being rebuilt and she made friendships that have lasted beyond the course.

With Susan’s confidence improved, she started her work placement at B&M at Whitley Bay. It was through this placement that she was offered a part-time position and Susan cannot praise her new manager enough for being understanding and supportive. She loves her new job as a shop assistant, meeting a wide variety of people on a daily basis and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge of different areas of the business.